Tuesday's Toolbox: No Donuts!

Law enforcement officers have a way of sneaking into stories - even if it's just to steal donuts! But how would he do it? It seems that cops have mannerisms that make them stand out in a crowd even if there's no gun on their hip, a uniform to identify them (or a donut in their hand - I knew you wouldn't forget that!).

Lynda Sue Cooper (a policewoman/writer) and her policeman husband have put together a profile of the cop at http://www.hodrw.com/cop2.htm

I found the profile to be informative, but did notice that they left out one important detail... the donuts. I thought all cops like donuts. But then they are cops. Maybe they are sworn to secrecy! I guess that explains it ;)

Tuesday's Toolbox: Shrink Lingo

Crazy Carl is experiencing the peak of a his manic phase. He's been out of control and giving the author a major headache. She doesn't quite know how to diagnose his radical behavior...

Do you?

Let's face it, if we as writers are going to step out on a limb and work with characters who don't walk the line of normalcy (whatever that means!), we need a little shrink experience.

I came across this great site http://www.archetypewriting.com/index.html where psychological help for authors is just a click of a mouse away. You'll find

Shrink lingo about psychological diseases and disorders

Evaluations of movie characters you've seen

Question and Answer opportunity

Articles and Resources

Muse help - ideas for developing characters

Check it out! Maybe you can help that character get back on track - or send him over the deep end, whichever gives you the most joy. ;) Then you're welcome to lie back, relax, close your eyes and tell me all about it....